At a Glance

• Accountability depends on transparency, clarity of roles, and public understanding
• Housing reform has exposed blurred lines of responsibility across all levels of government
• Cost shifting continues to weaken councils and reduce the services communities rely on
• Greater openness in council briefings can strengthen trust and help counter misinformation

Transparency, Trust and Truth in Local Government

At the end of last year, I wrote about the increasing demand — and need — for greater transparency and accountability in local government. These aren’t just civic ideals — they’re essential to public trust and the functioning of democracy itself.

As we continue that discussion in 2024, I want to reflect more deeply on where the barriers to transparency emerge — and how we can work together to overcome them.

Because if we want a better system, we must be willing to speak plainly about how the current one falls short.

Where Responsibility Begins – and Blurs

Australia’s system of government is built on three tiers — federal, state and local. But too often, this layered structure becomes a smokescreen for shifting responsibility and avoiding blame.

Take housing. The Federal Government has set a target of 1.2 million new homes. NSW is expected to deliver 314,000 of those. And to get there, the Minns Government has launched a wave of planning reforms, placing increasing pressure on councils to deliver.

The goal may be clear — but who is accountable for meeting it?

“The ‘blame game’ serves a political purpose: to deflect failure, confuse lines of accountability and retain power.”

When targets aren’t met, do we blame the Federal Government for a lack of infrastructure investment? The State Government for insufficient regional planning? Or local councils for delays in development approvals?

Too often, voters are left guessing — while governments point fingers.

In truth, accountability without transparency is an illusion. And in our current system, accountability is too often buried beneath a fog of complexity, political misdirection and media spin.

The Hidden Cost of Cost-Shifting

This isn’t just a political problem — it’s a financial one too.

In 2021-22 alone, the NSW Government offloaded $1.36 billion in costs onto local councils without providing funding. That’s an extra $460 per ratepayer, every year.

Here in Campbelltown, those costs show up in the roads we can’t fix, the upgrades we must delay, and the services we have to stretch. Our residents are paying for responsibilities that rightly belong to other levels of government.

“Essentially, ratepayers are unwittingly contributing to hidden taxes that benefit other levels of government.”

Before the 2023 election, Premier Chris Minns acknowledged this was a problem. It’s now time to fix it — not just in words, but through serious policy reform, adequate funding, and a commitment to genuine fiscal fairness.

Looking Inward – Our Own Commitment to Openness

While we continue to push for greater transparency from state and federal governments, we also need to lead by example.

Council meetings in Campbelltown have been livestreamed since 2020 — and while technology can sometimes falter, the principle stands: openness matters.

Now, it’s time to take the next step.

Behind every council decision are detailed briefings — opportunities for Councillors to hear from staff, ask questions, and understand the full context of issues before they vote. But right now, these briefings aren’t made public.

That needs to change.

“We must bridge the gap between council deliberations and public comprehension.”

Our community deserves to understand not just the outcomes, but the reasoning behind them. That means better access to the same information Councillors rely on — and a more open conversation about how decisions are made.

That’s why I’ve brought a Notice of Motion to Council, calling for the public recording of non-confidential briefings. This isn’t a symbolic move. It’s a practical step toward building trust, reducing misinformation, and empowering the community with knowledge.

Fighting Misinformation: Truth as Civic Duty

In the age of social media and political polarisation, misinformation is a real threat to good governance.

When falsehoods go unchallenged — especially during election campaigns — they erode public confidence in institutions and undermine the very idea of civic responsibility.

We’ve seen it play out across Australia: baseless claims, misrepresentations, and deliberate attempts to confuse voters. And we’ve seen the damage it causes — not just to the reputation of councils, but to the quality of public debate itself.

As I said in the Chamber:

“The integrity of our democratic institutions relies heavily on the accuracy and fairness of information disseminated to the public, particularly during elections.”

We’re not immune in Campbelltown. That’s why I’ve asked the General Manager to implement a comprehensive strategy to monitor, respond to, and correct misinformation — whether it comes from outside actors or candidates themselves.

And yes, we will explore all legal avenues when false claims damage trust in our processes, our people, or our purpose.

Reflection

In the end, good governance depends on more than formal authority. It depends on clarity, restraint, honesty, and a willingness to let the public see how decisions are shaped. I remain of the view that local government is strongest when it is open with its community, realistic about its constraints, and steadfast in its duty to serve the long term interests of place.

Read the original Mayoral Minute here: 6. Local Government - Transparency and Accountability